METAIRIE, La. — Jeremy Shockey worked out with the New Orleans Saints during their afternoon practice despite being limited by back spasms.

Coach Sean Payton says Shockey unexpectedly sat out the first practice of minicamp on Friday morning because of his back.

Payton says the star tight end’s hospitalization last week had nothing to do with his limited work in minicamp.

Payton says Shockey was dehydrated when he was hospitalized on May 27th after his muscles had seized up in the weight room.

The Saints expected him to return to practice this weekend and he eventually did on Friday afternoon, catching passes on his own, working on drills with fellow tight ends and joining the offense to work on formations.